"We Will Not Come Up!"

July 31, 2014

“We Will Not Come Up!”

Blessings folk!

Deception will blind.
False accusation will color the truth of the present and past.

Moses sends for Dathan and Abiram.
Read what happens…

Numbers 16:12-16
12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and they said, “We will not come up.
13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you must also make yourself a prince over us? 14 Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up.”
15 And Moses was very angry and said to the Lord, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed one of them.”

Defiance.
Rebellion.

Apparently Moses wanted to speak to Dathan and Abriam, likely about the issue at hand.
They refused.

Then comes the venom.

They accuse Moses of bringing them “out of a land flowing with milk and honey”...really?...they were slaves in that “land flowing with milk and honey”.
The accusation has overtones of Moses forcing them out. ?
They then questioned Moses’ motivation…”make yourself a prince over us”.
They accused him of wanting to murder the people.

You can see the inconsistency of thought.

Such occurs today.

Anger, deception, lies, etc. bring forth confusion and division.

Then, they fault Moses with not bringing them “into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards.”

It is all about the stuff.
All about self.
All about desires of the flesh.

The people could have had these things.
But, they refused to be obedient and enter the promised land when the Lord directed.

Rather, they believed the committee report.

They ended as they began, “we will not come up!”

Moses was angry.
Moses took it to the Lord and requested that God not respect their offerings.

We will see the answer later…








"Is It Too Small A Thing…?"

July 30, 2014

“Is It Too Small A Thing…?”

Blessings folk!

Some of the leadership of Israel were grumbling against Moses and Aaron.

They rallied an assembly of the leadership and confronted Moses.

Watch what happens next.

Number 16:4-11
4 When Moses heard it, he fell on his face,
5 and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him.
6 Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company;
7 put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord
tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!”
8 And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi:
9 is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them,
10 and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also?
11 Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?”


When confronted, Moses fell on his face.
Not from fear of the people.
But from fear for the people.
Not to submit to the people.
But to submit to the Lord.
Not to seek the forgiveness of the people.
But to seek the Mind of the Lord.

The Lord revealed to him what to do.
The Lord would reveal who His man was.

Moses then declares that they, the sons of Levi, had gone to far.
Remember, they had declared the same thing of Moses in verse 3.

Moses told the men that the Lord would decide the next day.
They were to take censers and put incense on them before the Lord

Then, Moses reveals to Korah what the issue was.
Korah and his company were sons of Levi.
They were separated by the Lord from the congregation of Israel.
The Lord had brought them near to Him for His service in the tabernacle.
The Lord had called them out of the congregation to minister to the people.

Yet, they were dissatisfied.
They were not pleased with the role in life that the Lord had provided.

Humm…
How many of us are like this?

They no longer wanted to live within the calling of the Levite.
They wanted the Aaron priesthood.
Of course, they were seeking it in the “name of the people”...remember how they had declared that all the congregation was holy?

Moses states that they were not rebelling and grumbling against Aaron and the priesthood, but against God.

One would think that after all they had seen the Lord do that there might be a moment to pause and reflect...perhaps repent and move on?

But, no.
They did not, as we will soon see.

Know this...

Pride and hubris blinds us to spiritual truth and reality.
It will cost, dearly.

Walk in the humility and knowledge of the Most High.


"Assembled Themselves Together"

July 29, 2014

“Assembled Themselves Together…”

Blessings folk!

Yesterday, you read an extended account. So good to hear that folk read it.

Amazing story, no?

Let us look more closely.

Read the following.

Give close attention to:
  • Who was involved?
  • What they did?
  • Why they did it?
  • Reaction of all?

Numbers 16

1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men.
2 And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men.
3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”
4 When Moses heard it, he fell on his face,
5 and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him.


Korah, Dathan, Abiram and On roused up the men.

  • 250 chiefs of the congregation
  • chosen from the assembly
  • well-known men

These were not unimportant men.
These were leaders.
As we will see later, they had leadership roles and responsibilities.

They “assembled themselves together against Moses”.
This was not of God.
This was not initiated by God.
This was man, pure and simple.

Look at the accusation they hurled at Moses and Aaron.
  • “you have gone too far…”
  • “you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord”

The men stated that all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord was among them. (Questionable thesis.)

They were asking Moses and Aaron “who put you in charge?”

One would think that after all the Lord had done through Moses - plagues on Egypt, deliverance from Egypt, parting of the Red Sea, provision of water, etc. - they would know that the Lord was the One who placed them in leadership.

They did not care.
They were not challenging Moses and Aaron.
They were challenging God.
They denied God.
These were men of power and position.
They wanted another position.
They wanted an other’s position.

Moses’ response?
He fell on his face...we assume in humility before the body and the Lord, seeking the Lord.
He spoke and revealed the Lord’s plan.

The Lord will show who is His.
The Lord will show who is holy.
The Lord will bring near to Himself the one Who is near to Him.
Moses did not have to defend himself.

Be not envious of others.
Be not rebellious before the Lord.

Fall on your face before the Lord.




"Swallowed and Consumed"

July 28, 2014

“Swallowed and Consumed”

Blessings folk!

The Lord declared “Woe to them…” to the men of whom Jude was speaking.

They had gone the way of Cain…
They had walked headlong into the error of Balaam…(hope you took the time to read the account in Numbers 22-24)
Now, the balance of the verse…

Jude 11
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.
KJV

11 Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and
perished in the rebellion of Korah.
NASB


These men were headed to the same punishment as Korah.

What was the rebellion of Korah?

The KJV gives us understanding: gainsaying.

Now there is a word we do not hear often, though we see it often.

gain·say [geyn-sey, geyn-sey]
verb (used with object), gain·said, gain·say·ing.
1. to deny, dispute, or contradict.
2. to speak or act against; oppose.


Ah…

  • to dispute
  • to speak against
  • to act against
  • to oppose

Sadly, daily occurrences organizational church.

Take time to read the account of Korah…
Watch what happens…
  • leaders spoke against Moses
  • by doing so, they were speaking against God (so often people take this to mean that we must “worship” the leaders in our lives. No! We are to walk in humility, honor, deference and love for one another.)
  • what was Moses’ reaction?
  • what did Korah, et. al. do?
  • what did God do?
  • what was the reaction of the people the next day? Amazing.

We will see more tomorrow.
Again, take the time to read…much longer than our normal portion of the Word, but worth it...we will look at it several times this week.

Numbers 16

1 Now Korah the son of Izhar, son of Kohath, son of Levi, and Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and On the son of Peleth, sons of Reuben, took men.
2 And they rose up before Moses, with a number of the people of Israel, 250 chiefs of the congregation, chosen from the assembly, well-known men.
3 They assembled themselves together against Moses and against Aaron and said to them, “You have gone too far! For all in the congregation are holy, every one of them, and the Lord is among them. Why then do you exalt yourselves above the assembly of the Lord?”
4 When Moses heard it, he fell on his face,
5 and he said to Korah and all his company, “In the morning the Lord will show who is his, and who is holy, and will bring him near to him. The one whom he chooses he will bring near to him.
6 Do this: take censers, Korah and all his company;
7 put fire in them and put incense on them before the Lord tomorrow, and the man whom the Lord chooses shall be the holy one. You have gone too far, sons of Levi!” 8 And Moses said to Korah, “Hear now, you sons of Levi:
9 is it too small a thing for you that the God of Israel has separated you from the congregation of Israel, to bring you near to himself, to do service in the tabernacle of the Lord and to stand before the congregation to minister to them,
10 and that he has brought you near him, and all your brothers the sons of Levi with you? And would you seek the priesthood also?
11 Therefore it is against the Lord that you and all your company have gathered together. What is Aaron that you grumble against him?”
12 And Moses sent to call Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliab, and they said, “We will not come up.
13 Is it a small thing that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey, to kill us in the wilderness, that you must also make yourself a prince over us? 14 Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey, nor given us inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you put out the eyes of these men? We will not come up.”
15 And Moses was very angry and said to the Lord, “Do not respect their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them, and I have not harmed one of them.”
16 And Moses said to Korah, “Be present, you and all your company, before the Lord, you and they, and Aaron, tomorrow.
17 And let every one of you take his censer and put incense on it, and every one of you bring before the Lord his censer, 250 censers; you also, and Aaron, each his censer.” 18 So every man took his censer and put fire in them and laid incense on them and stood at the entrance of the tent of meeting with Moses and Aaron.
19 Then Korah assembled all the congregation against them at the entrance of the tent of meeting. And the glory of the Lord appeared to all the congregation.
20 And the Lord spoke to Moses and to Aaron, saying,
21 “Separate yourselves from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.”
22 And they fell on their faces and said, “O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and will you be angry with all the congregation?”
23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
24 “Say to the congregation, Get away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram.”
25 Then Moses rose and went to Dathan and Abiram, and the elders of Israel followed him.
26 And he spoke to the congregation, saying, “Depart, please, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest you be swept away with all their sins.” 27 So they got away from the dwelling of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Dathan and Abiram came out and stood at the door of their tents, together with their wives, their sons, and their little ones.
28 And Moses said, “Hereby you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these works, and that it has not been of my own accord.
29 If these men die as all men die, or if they are visited by the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me.
30 But if the Lord creates something new, and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them up with all that belongs to them, and they go down alive into Sheol, then you shall know that these men have despised the Lord.”
31 And as soon as he had finished speaking all these words, the ground under them split apart.
32 And the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them up, with their households and all the people who belonged to Korah and all their goods.
33 So they and all that belonged to them went down alive into Sheol, and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly.
34 And all Israel who were around them fled at their cry, for they said, “Lest the earth swallow us up!”
35 And fire came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men offering the incense.
36 Then the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
37 “Tell Eleazar the son of Aaron the priest to take up the censers out of the blaze. Then scatter the fire far and wide, for they have become holy.
38 As for the censers of these men who have sinned at the cost of their lives, let them be made into hammered plates as a covering for the altar, for they offered them before the Lord, and they became holy. Thus they shall be a sign to the people of Israel.”
39 So Eleazar the priest took the bronze censers, which those who were burned had offered, and they were hammered out as a covering for the altar,
40 to be a reminder to the people of Israel, so that no outsider, who is not of the descendants of Aaron, should draw near to burn incense before the Lord, lest he become like Korah and his company—as the Lord said to him through Moses.
41 But on the next day all the congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and against Aaron, saying, “You have killed the people of the Lord.”
42 And when the congregation had assembled against Moses and against Aaron, they turned toward the tent of meeting. And behold, the cloud covered it, and the glory of the Lord appeared.
43 And Moses and Aaron came to the front of the tent of meeting,
44 and the Lord spoke to Moses, saying,
45 “Get away from the midst of this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” And they fell on their faces.
46 And Moses said to Aaron, “Take your censer, and put fire on it from off the altar and lay incense on it and carry it quickly to the congregation and make atonement for them, for wrath has gone out from the Lord; the plague has begun.”
47 So Aaron took it as Moses said and ran into the midst of the assembly. And behold, the plague had already begun among the people. And he put on the incense and made atonement for the people.
48 And he stood between the dead and the living, and the plague was stopped.
49 Now those who died in the plague were 14,700, besides those who died in the affair of Korah.
50 And Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, when the plague was stopped.

Be not a part of…

  • rebellion
  • false accusation
  • false worship
  • murmuring

Be…
  • humble
  • heart-broken
  • loving


"Error of Balaam"

July 27, 2014

“Error of Balaam”

Blessings folk!

“Woe to them!”

The Word of the Lord through Jude related to the men that had “crept in unnoticed”.

We have seen that these men have “gone the way of Cain”.

Now, read the next part of the verse...underlined…

Jude 1:11
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core.


The error of Balaam.
One of the more interesting accounts in the Word.
Much too long for this format, but I encourage you to read the story.

Numbers 22-24


Balaam’s error?
Trying to make money off the Word of the Lord.
Greed.
Saying one thing, doing another.
Not being obedient to the initial Word of the Lord.
Trying the Lord.
Teaching the enemy how to undermine the people of Israel.

These men that Jude mentions...and many within the Body today… are all about the money.

It is a grievous error to bring the Word of the Lord for pay only.

Take the time to read of Balaam.
The Lord will reveal much.

Allow me to whet your appetite…

Numbers 22:28-29
28 And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee.


It is one thing to have an ass speak to you…
It is another to carry on a conversation with an ass...

"Cain - of the Evil One"

June 26, 2014

“Cain - of the Evil One”

Blessings folk!

Let us followup some on what we saw yesterday.

The men in Jude had gone the way of Cain.

We saw yesterday how Cain had refused to worship in the prescribed manner that God instructed.

Cain was full of anger.
Anger that eventuated in the murder of his brother Abel.

God gave Cain opportunity to repent.
Cain refused.

The Word gives us even more insight.

In the midst of one of the most profound passages in the Word related to love, especially love of the brethren, we read this…

1 John 3:11-15
11 For this is the message that you have heard from the beginning, that we should love one another.
12 We should not be like Cain, who was of the evil one and murdered his brother. And why did he murder him? Because his own deeds were evil and his brother's righteous.
13 Do not be surprised, brothers, that the world hates you.
14 We know that we have passed out of death into life, because we love the brothers. Whoever does not love abides in death.
15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him.


This is a serious truth that the Body of Christ must understand and obey.

We should love one another.

If someone states that they are a “believer”, yet they do not love their brother, then this Word says they are a murderer on the level of Cain.
Murderers do not inherit the Kingdom.

Later on in 1 John we see that such folk are liars.
Liars do not inherit the Kingdom.

If we do not love, we abide in death.
If we do not love, then we are Cain...of the evil one, evil deeds.

Love is manifested and confirmed by deeds.
One may say that he loves, but if the pattern and practice of life is that of lie, deception, back-biting, etc. etc., then the Word boldly declares that they are not saved.

Many religious in the organized church live this way.

Be not one of them.

2 Corinthians 13:5
5 Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Or do you not realize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!


Guard your heart.
Guard your tongue.

Seek to love in the Lord.

There are entire portions of the Body of Christ where there is a “culture” of lying, deception, complaining, grumbling, mumbling, manipulation, etc....deeds of the flesh.

May we repent of such and manifest the fruit of the Spirit.

Many simply need to be saved.
They will never be able to manifest the fruit of the Spirit because they have not the Spirit.
But, when they do...life abundant will pour forth as rivers of righteousness.

Flow Lord!


"Gone the Way of Cain…"

July 25, 2014

“Gone the Way of Cain…”

Blessings folk!

Jude gives more examples from the Old Testament.
Remember, he is explaining who “those who have crept in” are.

Jude 11a
11 Woe unto them! for they have gone in the way of Cain,...


Many will be familiar with the account of Cain and Able.
Read carefully.

Genesis 4:1-8
1 And Adam knew Eve his wife; and she conceived, and bare Cain, and said, I have gotten a man from the Lord.
2 And she again bare his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
3 And in process of time it came to pass, that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the Lord.
4 And Abel, he also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof. And the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering:
5 but unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And Cain was very wroth, and his countenance fell.
6 And the Lord said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
8 And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him.


So, what is the “way of Cain”?
Is it murder? Perhaps.
But, based on the context of the Jude letter, I suspect it has to do with Cain’s refusal to worship the way that God instructed.

The Lord did not have respect for Cain’s offering.
Cain did not come before the Lord in the manner in which the Lord has instructed.

Cain was furious...very wroth.
His countenance fell.
His face reflected anger.

God approached Cain and asked why his countenance had fallen.
It is not that God did not know.
He did.
He wanted Cain to see.
God wanted Cain to understand that if he would do what was right, then God would accept his offering.

Cain refused.
He wanted to worship the way he wanted to.
Cain exalted his desires above the desire of the Lord - idolatry.
Think about that.
So many do the same.
The men who have crept in do so.

Cain goes out and tells this brother about what had occurred.
Then Cain killed Abel.

False worship.
Pride.
Anger.
Refusal to give heed to the Word of the Lord.
Idolatry.
These will lead to death.





"Instinct"

July 24, 2014

“Instinct”

Blessings folk!

Sadly, I see so much of the “men that creep in unnoticed” in the Body of Christ.

So called “church leadership” who have the position and title but only the power of the flesh.
They move not in the power of the Spirit.
They belittle.
They bully.
They accuse.
They backbite.
They operate with a controlling spirit.
They do so “in the name of the Lord” thinking that they are providing “strong leadership with vision.”
They are not.
They are causing great harm to the Body.
The sheep scatter.
I can point to several such in our immediate area.

Know this.
The Lord will judge.

Give heed to the truths that Jude reveals…

Jude 10
10 But these men revile the things which they do not understand; and the things which they know by instinct, like unreasoning animals, by these things they are destroyed.

They speak against the things they do not understand…

  • the things of God
  • the things of the Word
  • the things of the Spirit
  • the things of the Body

These men will undermine and reject the truth of the Word all while extolling their knowledge of such.

They do not understand what they are doing.

They move by instinct.
They live in the deeds and desires of the flesh.
They are like unreasoning animals.
They will be destroyed by these things.

Is there no hope for them?

There is hope.

The Lord Jesus is their hope.

Repent.
Confess.
Call upon the name of the Lord.

Then, watch what the Lord will do.

"The Lord Rebuke You"

July 23, 2014

“The Lord Rebuke You”

Blessings folk!

Yesterday we saw in Jude how the men who “have crept in unnoticed” reject authority (the Most High) and revile the angelic majesties.

The idea is that they speak against things they know not.
They also speak in ways and use things that they do not understand.

We see this in the Body today.

An example.

In certain portions of the Body of Christ it is common to see folk “praying against” and “speaking against” satan in manners that are not biblical.

We must be careful with such.

The next verse in Jude show us how we are to act.

Jude 9
9 But Michael the archangel, when he disputed with the devil and argued about the body of Moses, did not dare pronounce against him a railing judgment, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”


We learn several things in this verse.

When Moses died, there was a dispute over who would have his Body - God or satan.
We do not see this in the Old Testament. The New Testament book of Jude reveals it.

Why would satan want Moses’ body?
Did satan have a rightful claim?

Satan would say that Moses’ body was his due to the sin Moses’ had committed - murder, doubt, rebellion, etc.

God said otherwise.

Why would satan want the body?

Can you imagine all the “holy relics” and false idols that the enemy could produce with each bone?

Then, we see how we are to handle such a dispute.

Michael, the archangel...powerful angel...refused to use the power that he had.
He did not pronounced a railing judgment in his own name and power.
He said, “the Lord rebuke you.”
The name of the Lord.
There is power in the name of the Lord.

There was a dispute.
There was an argument.
There was no railing judgment.
The Lord will judge.
The Lord will rebuke.

Let us do likewise, resting and trusting in the Lord.

"Blaspheming Defilers"

July 22, 2014

“Blaspheming Defilers”

Blessings folk!

Jude does not hold back in describing the men that had “crept in unnoticed.”

Look at the next verse...three translations that each give nuanced insight…

Jude 8
8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.
KJV

Jude 8
8 Yet in like manner these people also, relying on their dreams, defile the flesh, reject authority, and blaspheme the glorious ones.
ESV

Jude 8
8 Yet in the same way these men, also by dreaming, defile the flesh, and reject authority, and revile angelic majesties.
NASB


“Yet in like manner…”
“Likewise…”

Like what?

In the same manner as Sodom and Gomorrah...as they went after strange flesh.

Jude describes them as…

  • filthy dreamers
  • relying on their dreams

Look at what they do…
  • rely on their dreams
  • defile flesh
  • despise dominion...they reject God
  • speak evil of dignities/angelic majesties/glorious ones. They blaspheme them.

Jude describes these men in terms of Sodom and Gomorrah.

We see it everywhere in the world.
We also see it in the church.

Watch.
You will see “church leaders” that adhere/pursuit such lifestyles.

As we have seen, the Lord will judge.

"Third Example"

July 21, 2014

“Third Example”

Blessings folk!

Another example.

Jude is reminding the folk of how God judges.
He judged His people that He rescued from Egypt when they did not believe.
He judged angels that abandoned their proper abode.
Now…

Jude 7
7 just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the cities around them, since they in the same way as these indulged in gross immorality and went after strange flesh, are exhibited as an example in undergoing the punishment of eternal fire.


Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them, were judged by God.
Why?
They indulged in gross immorality.
They went after strange flesh.

In the same manner that the angels that abandoned their proper abode went after “strange flesh” (the daughters of men), the Sodomites indulged in gross immorality with strange flesh. The balance of the Word reveals “same-sex” immorality is referenced.

God judged His people…
God judged the angels…
God judged the rebellious of Sodom and Gomorrah...
The Lord is telling us that these people that have “crept in unnoticed” will be judged.

Therefore, we are to contend for the faith.
We are to leave judgment to God.

The punishment of eternal fire awaits those who do not repent.



"Sons of God"

July 20, 2014

“Sons of God”

Blessings folk!

Jude gives another example of God’s judgment.

Remember, Jude was sharing this to remind the folk that the unjust, evil men will be judged by God.

Jude 6
6 And angels who did not keep their own domain, but abandoned their proper abode, He has kept in eternal bonds under darkness for the judgment of the great day,


There is debate as the meaning of this verse.

I believe if refers to Genesis 6…

Genesis 6:1-4
1 Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them,
2 that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose.
3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not strive with man forever, because he also is flesh; nevertheless his days shall be one hundred and twenty years.”
4 The Nephilim were on the earth in those days, and also afterward, when the sons of God came in to the daughters of men, and they bore children to them. Those were the mighty men who were of old, men of renown.


I believe the “sons of God” were the angels that did not keep their own domain.
They abandoned their proper abode.
The abandonment took place when they took the daughters of men as wives and had children.

God judged them and has kept them in eternal bonds...under darkness...for the judgment of the great day.

God’s judgment is sure.
Are you ready?






"Destroyed"

July 19, 2014

“Destroyed…”

Blessings folk!

Jude now reminds the recipients of what God had done in the past.
Several examples are given.
This was to encourage the folk to contend for the faith with the knowledge that God will judge the ungodly.

The first example…

Jude 5
Now I desire to remind you, though you know all things once for all, that the Lord, after saving a people out of the land of Egypt, subsequently destroyed those who did not believe.


Jude reminds them of something which they already knew.
This is a major hint that the recipients were Believers with Jewish heritage.
The Jewish people are the first example.
God had saved them from bondage in Egypt.
Yet, when they did not believe...when they refused to enter the land promised by the Lord...the Lord destroyed them.
Every person aged twenty and over died in the desert before the nation was allowed to enter the Land.

The picture is this.
If the Lord judged His people for their lack of faithfulness, would He not judge these men that had crept in and sought to pervert the Body of Christ?

We can rest in the Lord, the Judge.

Contend earnestly for the faith.

"Wars and Rumors of Wars"

July 18, 2014

“Wars and Rumors of Wars”

Blessings folk!

A little sidebar today…

Several have inquired as to the importance of what has occurred the past few hours in the middle east.

Everything that happens in the middle east is to be observed and considered, especially that related to Israel.

Israel’s response to Hamas’ ongoing bombardment was to be expected.
Israel had warned for days, even telling 100k folk in Gaza city to relocate.
Of course, the secular media will spin this mercilessly.
But, remember this.
There is no such thing as a “palestinian people”. They are Arab.
There is no such, nor has there ever been, a country/nation of Palestine.
Biblically speaking, Israel continues to deal with the Philistines.
Same people.
Same land geography.

Are these actions part of the “end-times” that we see in the Word?
In a manner of speaking, everything is pointing toward this.
It is the “wars and rumors of wars” that Jesus forewarned…

Matthew 24:6
And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.


But, it is not the “wars and rumors of wars” of the 70th week of Daniel.

Conflict will increase.
More enemies will move against Israel.
It will look as if her defeat is complete and total.
But, victory will ultimately be had.

What of the airliner that was shot down?
This is likely a false-flag operation. “False flag (or black flag) describes covert military or paramilitary operations designed to deceive in such a way that the operations appear as though they are being carried out by entities, groups or nations other than those who actually planned and executed them.”

Most of the armed conflicts that the western world has experienced the past 100+ years were initiated by such false-flag operations.

Give heed to the Word of the Lord…”see to it that you are not alarmed.”

If you are a true Believer and filled with fear and fright, then you have turned to self rather than to the Most High God.
You have exalted yourself as God.
Repent.
Allow the peace of the Lord to reign.
We are commanded to “see to it”.
Do it.

"Certain People"

July 17, 2014

“Certain People”

Blessings folk!

Jude is a very short letter.
He wanted to write about one thing - our common salvation.
But, he felt the necessity to exhort us to contend for the faith.

Why?

He succinctly tells us in a single verse.

Jude 1:4
For certain people have crept in unnoticed who long ago were designated for this condemnation, ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ.


There is a problem from within.

Certain People.

Note that these people can be determined… “certain people”.
We are not powerless.
The Spirit releases the gift of discerning of spirits as He desires.
We can know who they are.
We will know them by their fruit.

We learn much in this verse about these certain people…

  • crept in unnoticed. This reveals an intentionality from the beginning to cause harm to the Body. This tells us that they have no intention of being true Believers.
  • long ago designated for this condemnation. God knew about them from the foundations of creation. Why does He not “do something”? He did. All that we have experienced to this point is God “doing something”. We can be assured that their condemnation is certain. God knows what they are doing. Why does He allow it? Why did/does God allow sin? His ways are not our ways. His timing is not our timing. He will deal with it all.
  • ungodly people. Well, there you are. Clear. They are ungodly, yet they gather with the Godly. Tares among the wheat.
  • they pervert the grace of our God into sensuality. This is happening boldly within the organizational church today. Leadership perverts the grace of God. They say that varied sins are “ok, God’s grace is there”. Perverted grace of many types is abundant today. Seek and know True Grace.
  • they deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Again, seen often today, especially among “higher” levels of church leadership and religious academia. Folk are often amazed at how many who arrogantly carry the title of “...To Be Revered” (Reverend) do not believe that Jesus is the Way, the Truth, the Life.

We must contend against such.
Through the Word. We must know the Truth of the Word.
Through the Spirit. We must be filled and live in the power of the Spirit.
Through the Body. We must function as the Body in the manner that the Lord has designed.

Have eyes to see.
Have ears to hear.

Many who read this will hear smooth, subtle elements of each of these characteristics of “certain people” this coming Lord’s day.
It will appear in a Sunday School lesson.
It will appear in the passing comment of someone.
It will appear from the pulpit.

Fall not for the lie.

Stand firm
Contend for the faith.
See to it that no on deceives you.


"Mercy, Peace, Love"

July 16, 2014

“Mercy, Peace, Love”

Blessings folk!

Jude introduced himself…
  • servant of Jesus Christ
  • brother of James

Jude specified to whom he was writing
  • those who are called
  • those who are beloved in God the Father
  • those kept for Jesus Christ

Jude 1
1 Jude, a bond-servant of Jesus Christ, and brother of James,
To those who are the called, beloved in God the Father, and kept for Jesus Christ:

We saw yesterday that Jude wanted to write about their common salvation, but he found it necessary...hummm...necessary...to write to appeal to them to contend for the faith.

But, he said something else before this…

Jude 2
2 May mercy and peace and love be multiplied to you.


Jude spoke blessings over them.
He spoke the declaration that mercy, peace and love be multiplied in them.

This is so needed today.

When was the last time that you as a Believer spoke such over someone?
We need to declare the mercy, peace and love of the Lord over each other.
We need to seek that such be multiplied.

This is missing from the Body.

Most of what I see on a regular basis consists of…

  • suspicion
  • nosiness
  • busy-bodiness
  • doubt
  • fear
  • lying
  • deception
  • idolatry
  • strife

Yep, the works of the flesh…

Galatians 5:19-22
19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions,21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.


Such is endemic in the “culture” of many portions of the Body of Christ.

Most of the time folk do not know how they are acting/reacting/living.
It is considered “normal”.

It is not.

Those who practice such as a pattern of life will not inherit the Kingdom of God.
They are religious.
They are not saved.

How different would things be if we spoke mercy, peace and love over one another?
How different if we sought to multiply these things in our lives?

The Love of the Spirit would break forth.
The lies and deception of the evil one would flee.

Galatians 5:22-26
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.


To the praise and glory of the Lord.

May it be...multiplied.



"Contend"

July 15, 2015

“Contend”

Blessings folk!

The first thing that Jesus told the disciples in Matthew 24 was “see to it that no on deceive you”.
Remember?

I told a class this morning that I sometimes feel like Jude.
I’d like to speak of our “common salvation”, but…

Jude 3
3 Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

Jude was eager, diligent and was making every effort to write to them about their common salvation.

So, Jude...the brother of James...and the brother of Jesus (though he does not drop that fact)…

Jude 1
1 Jude, a servant of Jesus Christ and brother of James,…

was writing to a group of Believers…

Jude 1
...To those who are called, beloved in God the Father and kept for Jesus Christ:


The Called.
Beloved of God the Father.
Kept for Jesus Christ.
Believers.

Rather than writing about their common salvation, Jude found it necessary to appeal to them...to encourage them...to exhort them… to contend earnestly for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.

This a needed appeal for us.

We must earnestly contend for the faith.

To contend for the faith one must know/be of the faith.

Otherwise, we are contending for religion and practices of man.

For what do you contend?







"When?"

July 14, 2014

“When?”

Blessings folk!

Be ready!
Be alert!
Be awake!

The Lord is returning.

But, not as many within the professing church believe.

Some believe that He is already here...wrong.
Some believe that His coming is imminent...that He could come at any moment…wrong.
Some believe...well, there are unlimited mistaken understandings.

The Word is clear.

We are to be ready for His return.
We are to be alert.

How will we know that it is the true return of the Lord?

Easy.

The Lord has told us repeatedly.

There will be signs in the heavens…
There will be sings in the seas...

Luke 21:25-28
25 “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,
26 
people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken.
27 
And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.”


When these things begin to take place, then the return of the Lord is imminent.

When will this happen?

At the breaking of the 6th seal of the scroll that the Lord is opening in Revelation.

Revelation 6:12-17
12 When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,
13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale.
14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place.
15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains,
16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of him who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb,
17 for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”


It is at this point that the church is raptured.
This truncates the great tribulation. Yes, the church undergoes the great tribulation. Remember the great tribulation is the wrath of satan upon Israel and the church.

Note the response of the “important” people upon earth.

Why were they reacting this way?
The great day of their wrath has come.
Their?
Him Who is seated on the throne - Father.
Lamb - Jesus.
Their wrath has come.

Believers will be spared the wrath of God - the Day of the Lord.
Believers will endure the wrath of satan - the great tribulation.

Are you prepared?


"Be Alert!"

July 13, 2014

“Be Alert!”

Blessings folk!

Now, let us look at the gospel of Mark to see how it closes out the answers that Jesus gave the disciples.

Mark 13:33-37
33 "Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time will come.
34 "
It is like a man away on a journey, who upon leaving his house and putting his slaves in charge, assigning to each one his task, also commanded the doorkeeper to stay on the alert.
35 "
Therefore, be on the alert — for you do not know when the master of the house is coming, whether in the evening, at midnight, or when the rooster crows, or in the morning
36
in case he should come suddenly and find you asleep.
37 "
What I say to you I say to all, 'Be on the alert!'"


Jesus states three times that which we have seen several times in the other gospels.
“Be on the alert!”

We need to take heed.
We, as Believers, must not “fake our way” through life.
We are to take heed.
We are to be on the alert.
We are to watch.
We are to stay awake.

Why?

Because we do not know the appointed time when the Lord will return.
We do not want to be found slumbering, unprepared, fear-filled.

Many Believers will found themselves that way.

Why?

Because they do not know the Word that the Lord has given.
They expect to be “bailed out” by God when times get rough.
This is not true.
Again, we are promised to be spared the wrath of God. Yes!
We are also told that we will undergo the wrath of satan - the great tribulation.

Most of the church will be unprepared for that which the Lord clearly teaches.

Be not one of them.
Be prepared.
Be alert.
Learn the truth.
Then, help others to see the truth.


"Daily…"

July 12, 2014

“Daily…”

Blessings folk!

Jesus finishes answering the disciples questions in Luke 21.

Look at what is stated next…

Luke 21:37-38

37 And every day he was teaching in the temple, but at night he went out and lodged on the mount called Olivet.
38 And early in the morning all the people came to him in the temple to hear him.


Jesus taught every day in the temple.
He would then retire to the Mt. of Olives to rest.
Note that the people came to hear Him early in the morning.

Do we received from the Lord daily?
If we are waiting until a Sunday School time, or a Bible study, or a worship service, then we will be anemic in the faith.

Thus the reason that most Believers are so.

Daily...in the Word.
Daily...in the Spirit.
Daily...in the Body as iron sharpens iron.
Daily...as we go.
Daily...with every breath.
Daily...to His praise, honor and glory.
Daily...as we move from “doing something” to living that which we are in Him.



"Watch! Awake!"

July 11, 2014

“Watch! Awake!”

Blessings folk!

Let us examine the other gospels to hear the Word of the Lord.

Luke 21:34-36
34 “But watch yourselves lest your hearts be weighed down with dissipation and drunkenness and cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly like a trap.
35 
For it will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth.
36 
But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.”


Jesus had just given the example of the fig tree...then He says “but”.

A command.
Watch yourselves.
He is speaking to the disciples.
He is speaking to us.

Why do we need to watch ourselves?

  • Lest our hearts be weighed down with dissipation - squandering of resources, energy, money; excess; self-indulgence.
  • Lest our hearts be weighed down with drunkenness
  • Lest our hearts be weighed down with the cares of this life
  • Lest that day...what day? The day of the wrath of satan (Great Tribulation)? The day of rapture/Wrath of the Lord? The next verse tells us…”it” - that day - will come upon all who dwell on the face of the whole earth. That is speaking of the Day of the Lord. The Wrath of God.
  • The day of the rapture initiates the Day of the Lord. We do not want to be unprepared.

Another command.
Stay awake at all times.

Difficult times are coming. More difficult than most Believers know.

We are to pray for the strength of the Lord to escape “all these things”.
The things that the Lord has been detailing in His answer.

Escape is possible, but it will be in the strength of the Lord

We will stand before the Son of Man.

Are you ready?

"After All These Sayings…"

July 10, 2014

“After All These Sayings…”

Blessings folk!

Let’s finish Matthew’s account of Jesus’ answer to the disciples questions.
We will examine other gospel accounts tomorrow…

Jesus had finished the answer.
Watch what He does next.

Matthew 26:1-2
1 When Jesus had finished all these sayings, he said to his disciples,
2 “
You know that after two days the Passover is coming, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.”


Jesus had finished the sayings.
He had answered.
He then told them what was soon to take place.
He told them this several times.
Passover was two days out (a timing element!).
The Son of Man - Jesus Himself - would be delivered up to be crucified.

The balance of the Word reveals that the disciples heard, yet did not want to hear.
They heard yet they did not want to understand what was being said.

Later they would.

But not then.
What kind of sense did this make?

Jesus gave detailed answer to the inquiry of when “these things” would occur and what would be the sign of His coming again and of the end of the age.

Then He tells them that He was about to be “delivered up”...handed over...and killed.

They did not believe such would happen.
We do not fault the disciples.

The question is “do we believe what the Lord has revealed to us?”

"Wicked and Slothful…"

July 9, 2014

“Wicked and Slothful…”

Blessings folk!

Remember, Jesus is answer the questions asked by the disciples at the beginning of Matthew 24...when will these things occur and what will be the sign of your coming and the end of the age?

Matthew 24-25 is the answer.

Jesus has been giving parables to provide insight.

Here is another.

Read the story.
Be not lost in the details...focus on the big point that Jesus is making…

Matthew 25:14-30
14 “For it will be like a man going on a journey, who called his servants and entrusted to them his property.
15 To one he gave five talents, to another two, to another one, to each according to his ability. Then he went away.
16 He who had received the five talents went at once and traded with them, and he made five talents more.
17 So also he who had the two talents made two talents more.
18 But he who had received the one talent went and dug in the ground and hid his master's money.
19 Now after a long time the master of those servants came and settled accounts with them.
20 And he who had received the five talents came forward, bringing five talents more, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me five talents; here I have made five talents more.’
21 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
22 And he also who had the two talents came forward, saying, ‘Master, you delivered to me two talents; here I have made two talents more.’
23 His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a little; I will set you over much. Enter into the joy of your master.’
24 He also who had received the one talent came forward, saying, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed,
25 so I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground. Here you have what is yours.’
26 But his master answered him, ‘You wicked and slothful servant! You knew that I reap where I have not sown and gather where I scattered no seed?
27 Then you ought to have invested my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received what was my own with interest.
28 So take the talent from him and give it to him who has the ten talents.
29 For to everyone who has will more be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.
30 And cast the worthless servant into the outer darkness. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’


We are all given a “talent” - literally life itself.

What are we doing with the life the Lord has granted?
Are we “burying” it?
Are we seeking to be fruitful in the Kingdom by the power of the Spirit?

The Lord will deal with those who have not used the life granted in the way He desires.
They will be cast into outer darkness...into a place of weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Be not a wicked and slothful servant.
Be the one that receives abundance from the Lord.

"Watch"

July 8, 2014

“Watch”

Blessings folk!

Jesus continues to give examples/parables that reveal the truths related to preparedness.

Matthew 25:1-13
1 “Then the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.
Five of them were foolish, and five were wise.
For when the foolish took their lamps, they took no oil with them,
but the wise took flasks of oil with their lamps.
As the bridegroom was delayed, they all became drowsy and slept.
But at midnight there was a cry, ‘Here is the bridegroom! Come out to meet him.’ Then all those virgins rose and trimmed their lamps.
And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.’
But the wise answered, saying, ‘Since there will not be enough for us and for you, go rather to the dealers and buy for yourselves.’
10 
And while they were going to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.
11 
Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, ‘Lord, lord, open to us.’
12 
But he answered, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
13 
Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour.


The foundational truth is to watch.
We are to watch for the return of the Lord.
We are to pay attention.
We are to be prepared.
We are not be caught unawares.

Note, the “kingdom of heaven is like…”

This is very much a picture of the professing Body of Christ today.

Ten profess to believe.
Five were foolish.
Five were wise.

The wise had flasks of oil.
I believe the oil is a picture of the Spirit.
The 5wise are empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The 5foolish were not.
The 5foolish are not saved, yet they go about religious activity.
Religious activity without the Spirit.

How do I know this?
Because the Lord says, “I do not know you.”

The 5foolish believed they were in correct relationship with God.
They were not.

Such is the organizational church today.
The majority are not truly saved.
They are foolish and deceived.

Watch.
Examine yourself to see if you are of the faith.

Watch.
We know not the day nor the hour of the Lord’s return.

We do know that the Lord will return.

Be prepared.

"Wicked Servant"

July 7, 2014

“Wicked Servant”

Blessings folk!

Blessed is the servant who is faithful and wise upon the return of the Master.

The picture is our faithfulness, our readiness, our expectation at the return of the Lord.

But, what of those who are not faithful and wise?

Matthew 24:45-51
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
46 
Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
47 
Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.
48 
But if that wicked servant says to himself, ‘My master is delayed,’
49 
and begins to beat his fellow servants and eats and drinks with drunkards,
50 
the master of that servant will come on a day when he does not expect him and at an hour he does not know
51 
and will cut him in pieces and put him with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.


Note that he is called “that wicked servant”.
They would claim to be a servant, yet they do not the will of the master.
Many are they who profess to be believers, yet they are wicked servants.
They are religionists.
They are playing a game.
In the end they will be judged.

The true nature of the wicked servant comes forth when he thinks the master is delayed.
He beats his fellow servants.
He eats/drinks with drunkards.
He pursues the things of the world without regard for the master.

What will happen to the wicked servant?

The Master will come on an unexpected day, at an unexpected hour unknown by the wicked servant.
The Master will cut him in pieces.
The Master will put him with the hypocrites.
The Master will send him to the place where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Determine to be the faithful and wise servant blessed by the Most High.

He empowers us to live such.

"Blessed"

July 6, 2014

“Blessed”

Blessings folk!

Jesus has been giving examples of those who are ready...those who are prepared...for His return.
Jesus tells us who the blessed servant is.

Matthew 24:45-47
45 “Who then is the faithful and wise servant, whom his master has set over his household, to give them their food at the proper time?
46 
Blessed is that servant whom his master will find so doing when he comes.
47 
Truly, I say to you, he will set him over all his possessions.


The faithful and wise servant is the one who is doing the Master’s work upon the return of the Master.

True Believers are placed by the Most High God for “such a time as this”.

We are being prepared…for today? Yes.
For the future? Yes.

Walk faithfully in the Lord.
Abide in Him.
Be obedient.

Prepared and faithful when He comes will produce fruit today and even greater abundance in the future.

The Lord describes it as “blessed”.

"Awake Against the Thief"

July 5, 2014

“Awake Against the Thief”

Blessings folk!

We return to Matthew 24.
Jesus is speaking, specifically giving examples that provide insights to His return and the need to be ready/prepared.

Jesus has mentioned Noah…
Jesus has mentioned how two would be together and one would be taken away…
Now…

Matthew 24:43-44
43 But know this, that if the master of the house had known in what part of the night the thief was coming, he would have stayed awake and would not have let his house be broken into.
Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.


The way of preparation is repentance, confession and calling upon the Lord for salvation.
Belief will save.
If you have not done this, today is the day!

For the Believer, the way of preparation is to abide in the Lord and be alert, be ready.
Not motivated by fear…
Not frantically awaiting based upon a false doctrine of “imminent-cy”….
But with a patience, peaceful expectation that the Lord will return.
We are to be alert as if anticipating a thief.
We are to protect the house.
Even more so as the days darken and that portion of the night arrives.
We know not the hour.
We will know the season.

The leaves are budding...

"Liberty"

July 4, 2014

“Liberty”

Blessings folk!

Liberty is not found in the strategies and victories of man.

Hear the Word of the Lord…

Galatians 5:1
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Isaiah 61:1-3
1 The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me;
because the Lord hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek;
he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
to proclaim liberty to the captives,
and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
2 to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord,
and the day of vengeance of our God;
to comfort all that mourn;
3 to appoint unto them that mourn in Zion,
to give unto them beauty for ashes,
the oil of joy for mourning,
the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness;
that they might be called trees of righteousness,
the planting of the Lord, that he might be glorified.


It is only in the Lord Jesus Christ that true liberty and freedom is found.
Nothing else.

We are to manifest and proclaim this Liberty of the Lord to all.

2 Corinthians 3:17
17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.


John 8:36
36 So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.


Rejoice in the liberty and freedom of the Lord.
Live in the liberty.
Impart it to others.



"Stay Awake"

July 3, 2014

“Stay Awake”

Blessings folk!

Jesus continues in giving examples...

Matthew 24:40-42
40 Then two men will be in the field; one will be taken and one left.
41 
Two women will be grinding at the mill; one will be taken and one left.
42 T
herefore, stay awake, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming.


It is amazing the number of interpretations of verses 40-41.
They are twisted and perverted in many ways to fit the understanding of man.
We will see more later.
For now, know what it says.
One will be taken.
One will be left.

Because of this, Jesus warns us.
Stay awake.
Do not be lulled to sleep by the cares and concerns of the world.

We are not to walk through life unconscious of the fact that the Lord is returning.
We do not know when He will come.
We are to live in expectation.
We are to live prepared.
Are we?

"Days of Noah"

July 2, 2014

“Days of Noah”

Blessings folk!

Jesus tells us that only Father knows the day and hour of the Lord’s return.
Only Father knows the timing of all that will occur with the parousia of the Lord.

Jesus then gives three examples that give us insight.
The foundational truth that He is communicating is that we should live in expectant readiness.

Matthew 24:37-39
37 For as were the days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.
38 
For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark,
39 
and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.


Jesus compares the time of the coming of the Son of Man with the days of Noah.

Again, Jesus believed in Noah.
He believed the biblical narrative of Noah, his family, the state of the world and the universal flood.
Much of the “church” today does not believe.
They are rebelling in the face of the Lord.

What were the days of Noah like?
People were eating.
People were drinking.
People were marrying.
People were giving in marriage.

The picture is man carrying on in life.
A life that rejected God.

They were “unaware” until the flood came.
Not unaware due to ignorance.
The Word tells us that Noah preached the truth to them.
They chose not to believe and were therefore swept away.

2 Peter 2:5
5 And spared not the old world, but saved Noah the eighth person, a preacher of righteousness, bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly;


So it will be when the Son of Man returns.

Man refuses to believed.

They will be “swept away”.

"Father Knows"

July 1, 2014

“Father Knows”

Blessings Folk!!

Jesus gave the parable of the fig tree...describing when the Kingdom of God is near.

Give close heed to the next verse.
We likely know it well.
Let not familiarity rob us…

Matthew 24:36
36 “But concerning that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father only.


Jesus tells us.
Only the Father knows the day and the hour of when these things will occur.
Not the angels.
Not the Son.
Only Father.
But, we can...and will...know the season.

We do well to know the times.
We do well to know the Word.

But, what peace!
Father knows.
We can rest in this.

Too often we think that we have to understand all of God and His ways.
Rather, we should rejoice in Father knowing.

“Father Knows”